Pune: Forest Department Denies Illegal Tree Felling in Bhimashankar Sanctuary Amid Rohit Pawar’s Allegations
Pune, 24th October 2026: The Forest Department has denied reports of illegal tree felling inside Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, following allegations by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar that thousands of trees were being cut in the adjoining Saindongar forest area for a pumped-storage hydroelectric project.
In a press release, Ashish Thakare, Conservator of Forests, Pune, said reports circulating on social media and other media platforms over the past two to three days about illegal tree felling for a company’s project inside the sanctuary were incorrect.
“No such illegal tree felling is taking place inside Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary,” the Forest Department stated, appealing to citizens to take note of the clarification and cooperate with the administration.
The statement comes after Pawar raised concerns over the alleged felling of more than 32,000 trees across over 233 hectares of forest land in the Saindongar forest area in Karjat tehsil of Raigad district, adjacent to Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Rohit Pawar raises environmental concerns
In a social media post, Pawar alleged that extensive tree felling was underway for a pumped-storage hydroelectric project, warning of potential damage to wildlife habitats, biodiversity and the environment.
He claimed that the affected forest area was home to several wildlife species, including barking deer, Maharashtra’s state animal, leopards, wild boars, otters and numerous bird species. He also expressed concern that tree felling could destroy bird nests, eggs and chicks, while threatening medicinal plants and other elements of the local ecosystem.
Pawar further raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of blasting during tunnel construction, arguing that it could weaken sections of the hills. He referred to the Malin and Irshalwadi disasters while warning about the possible risks associated with development in ecologically sensitive areas.
These concerns and claims were raised by Pawar in his social media post and have not been independently verified.
MLA questions project location
Pawar said he was not opposed to the hydroelectric project or the company involved but objected to the proposed location, which he described as environmentally sensitive. He called for relocating the project to a site where environmental damage could be avoided.
He also urged the government to reconsider the project location and appealed to citizens, environmental organisations and the media to raise concerns about the potential impact on forests and local communities.
Pawar claimed that the project was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on November 3 and questioned whether development should proceed at the cost of forest conservation.
Forest Department clarification
The Forest Department’s statement specifically denied reports of illegal tree felling inside Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. However, Pawar’s allegations concern the Saindongar forest area adjacent to the sanctuary.
